Face Protector Lens Assembly and Method of Use

ABSTRACT

A lens assembly for securing in an opening in a face plate of a face protector has a first, retainer lens of shape and dimensions configured to be secured in the front opening of a face plate and having a curvature substantially matching the curvature of the face plate. A second lens of smaller dimensions is secured behind the first lens to provide a lens-in-a-lens configuration. The second lens extends across a wearer&#39;s eyes when the face protector is worn and the first lens has side portions which extend around at least part of the opposite sides of the face to provide peripheral vision. The lens assembly may be releasably secured in the face plate opening and one or both lenses may be interchangeable with sets of lenses having different properties such as lens shade.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S.provisional pat. App. Ser. No. 61/263,765, filed Nov. 23, 2009, thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, in general, to lenses of face protectors,and, in particular, to lenses of welding masks or helmets.

2. Related Art

Welding helmets or masks are headgear used when performing certain typesof welding to protect the eyes, face and neck from flash burn,ultraviolet light, sparks and heat. Welding helmets are necessary toprevent arc eye, a painful condition where the cornea is inflamed.Welding helmets can also prevent retina burns, which can lead to a lossof vision. Both conditions are caused by unprotected exposure to thehighly-concentrated UV rays emitted by the welding arc (which can alsodamage uncovered skin, similar to a sunburn).

All welding helmets include a small window, called a lens, through whichthe welder looks at the weld. In older helmets, the window can be madeof darkly tinted glass, or perhaps a pair of polarized lenses. In moremodern helmet designs, transparent material that darkens automaticallywhen exposed to the flare of a welding arc are more common. Either type,however, is susceptible to damages such as cracks that can compromisethe protection from ultraviolet rays. In addition to the lens shade, thehelmet has a shroud around the face to protect it from hot metal sparksgenerated by the arc.

The hot metal sparks generated by the arc can ignite flammable objectsin the welding area. Because the welding helmets include a small windowdirectly in front of the welder's eyes and have obstructed peripheralvision or even no peripheral vision, a welder may not recognize that thehot metal sparks generated a fire in the area (e.g., to the sides) ofthe welder. The obstructed peripheral vision also prevents the welderfrom clearly seeing the future direction of their welding line, and theyalso may not see potential dangers such as people walking up to themfrom the side or objects moving or falling into their path.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve these problems and others, the present invention involves alens-in-a-lens assembly that protects a users eyes (e.g., duringwelding), while also allowing peripheral vision.

In one embodiment, a lens assembly for a face plate of a face protectorhas a first, retainer lens of shape and dimensions configured to besecured in a front opening of the face plate and having a curvaturesubstantially matching the curvature of the face plate, and a secondlens of smaller dimensions secured behind the first lens to provide alens-in-a-lens configuration, with the second lens configured to extendacross the eyes of a wearer of the face protector and the first lensextending around the sides of the wearer's face to provide peripheralvision. The lenses may be of tinted glass or may be automatic darkeningfilter (ADF) lenses which darken automatically when exposed to increasedlight such as the flare of a welding arc, and one or both lenses may beselected from sets of interchangeable lenses having different shades.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become morereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewingthe following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The details of the present invention, both as to its structure andoperation, may be gleaned in part by study of the accompanying drawings,in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front exploded and partially cut-away perspective view of anembodiment of a face protector with an embodiment of a lens assemblyshown therein.

FIG. 2 is a rear exploded perspective view of the face protector and thelens assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the face protector and the lensassembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the face protector and the lensassembly shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the face protector and the lens assemblyshown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the face protector and the lens assemblyshown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the face protector and the lensassembly shown in FIGS. 1 to 6.

FIG. 8 is a right side elevational view of the face protector and thelens assembly shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the left side elevational viewbeing a mirror image thereof.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the face protector and the lensassembly shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the left side elevational view being amirror image thereof.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a faceprotector incorporating another embodiment of a lens assembly.

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the face protector of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the face protector of FIGS. 10 and11.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the face protector of FIGS. 10 to 12.

FIG. 14 is a rear elevation view of the face protector of FIGS. 10 to13.

FIG. 15 is a right side elevation view of the face protector of FIGS. 10to 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments as disclosed herein provide for a face protectorhaving a face plate with a front opening which extends across the eyeregion of a wearer and rearwardly around the sides of the face towardsthe ears, and a lens-in-a-lens assembly secured in the front opening.

After reading this description it will become apparent to one skilled inthe art how to implement the invention in various alternativeembodiments and alternative applications. However, although variousembodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it isunderstood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only,and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of variousalternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope orbreadth of the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1-9, a first embodiment of a lens-in-a-lensassembly (“lens assembly”) 100 of a face protector 105 will bedescribed. In an exemplary embodiment, the face protector 105 is used ina welding application; however, in an alternative embodiments, the faceprotector 105 and/or face plate 110 is used in other applications suchas, but not limited to, safety applications, commercial applications,do-it-yourself (DIY) applications, grinding, splash guard, sandblasting, food preparation, fork lift operations, tile cutting, woodcutting, wood chopping, face protection from flying particles, forcedhigh pressure washing applications, during boat travel in sport leisureand commercial fishing, snowboarding, skiing, snowmobiling, hiking,hunting, paint ball, law enforcement, fire fighting, motorcycling, dunebuggy or rails, ATV, air soft, spectator sports (e.g., NASCAR carracing, NFL/college football, NHL/college hockey), commercial activitiessuch as airline industry, landscaping, and governmental activities suchas military, lake patrols, etc.

With reference to FIG. 3, before describing the lens assembly 100, theface protector 105 will be generally described. The face protector 105protects the front of a user's head (i.e., forehead, face, eyes, cheeks,jaw, chin, mouth, nose, ears) from flash burn, ultraviolet light,sparks, heat, and/or other elements associated with theactivity/application.

The face protector 105 includes a face plate 110 preferably made of aninjection molded thin, plastic material. The face plate 110 has aconfiguration generally similar to the configuration of a human face andincludes a forehead portion 120, a cheek portion 130, a jaw portion 140,a mouth portion 142, a nose portion 144, ear portions 146, a chinportion 148, and the replaceable/interchangeable lens assembly 100 thatcover and protect the forehead, cheeks, jaw, mouth, nose, ears, chin,and eyes, respectively, of a user.

The forehead portion 120 is just wider than the width of the head of theuser, is curved rearwardly, and extends from the brow area to just abovethe forehead area of the user. Substantially all of the skull is notcovered by the forehead portion 120 or the rest of the face protector110. Although not shown, in alternative embodiments, the foreheadportion 120 may include one or more ventilation sections for ventilatingthe face protector 110. On a front side 160 of the forehead portion 120,the forehead portion 120 may include an insert and/or indicia 182displaying a trademark, logo, or other insignia pertinent to theapplication of the face protector 110. The mold used to make the faceprotector 110 may include different mold inserts for the differentindicia so that the same mold, but different mold inserts, may be usedto manufacture the face protectors 110 for different applications.

The cheek portion 130 is curved rearwardly from the nose portion 144 andthe mouth portion 142 of the face plate 110, and protects the cheeks ofa user.

The jaw portion 140 is curved rearwardly from the mouth portion 142 andthe cheek portion 130 of the face plate 110, and protects the jaw areaof a user. The jaw portion 140 includes the chin portion 148, which hasa cupped configuration for receiving the chin of a user. The jaw portion140 decreasingly tapers in width from the top of the jaw portion 140,just below the lens assembly 100, to the bottom of the chin portion 148.

The mouth portion 142 is disposed between the nose portion 144 and thejaw portion 140, and protects the mouth of a user. Although not shown,in an alternative embodiment, the mouth portion 142 may includeventilation holes in the grooves shown or in other areas of the mouthportion 142 and/or nose portion 144. The mold used to make the faceprotector 110 may include different inserts for the different mouthand/or nose designs so that the same mold, but different inserts, may beused to manufacture the face protectors for different applications (e.g.face protectors with and without mouth/nose ventilation holes).

The front side of the nose portion 144 may bow outward and the rear side162 of the nose portion 144 may be concave to accommodate the nose ofthe user. Although not shown, as discussed above, the nose portion 144may include one or more ventilation holes in alternative embodiments.

The ear portions 146 extend rearwardly from the opposite ends of thelens assembly 100, and decreasingly taper in dimension progressingrearwardly, and protect the entire ears of the user. Substantiallyrectangular-shaped holes 170 are disposed in upper portions of the earportions 146. Connectors may connect to the holes 170 from a back/innerside of the ear portions 146 for connecting a strap (not shown) to theface protector 110 to retain the face protector 110 in position on theuser's head. The strap may be elastic and/or adjustable for adjustingthe length of the strap to accommodate different-sized heads.

The face protector 110 may come in a one-size-fits-all configuration ormay come in different sizes for different-sized heads (e.g., XL, L, M,S, child size).

An inner/back side of the face plate 110 may include cushion member(s)to provide added comfort to the user when wearing the face protector105. The cushion member(s) may be affixed/connected to an inner/backside of the face plate 110 using an adhesive and/or fasteners. Thecushion member(s) may be made of a waterproof, breathable material. Thecushion member(s) may include holes therein to increase thebreathability and comfort of the cushion member(s) when against the skinof the user. The cushion member(s), like the face plate 110, may come indifferent sizes to allow the user to custom fit the face protector 105for the user's specific facial dimensions.

Because of the face-forming, low profile of the face plate 110,especially in the jaw portion 140, the face plate 110 allows the user tomove one's head from side to side more easily because the lower jaw areaof a normal welding helmet or mask hits the users shoulders and causesthe helmet/mask to push up and/or off the user's face/head. Also,because of the rounded profile of the face plate 110, air flows betterthan other welding helmets because there is no 90-degree angle that theair has to move past. For example, the forehead portion 120 of the faceplate 110 has a rounded profile compared to the 90-degree angles ofother welding helmets. Also, because of the rounded spherical lensassembly 100, which will be described in more detail below, splatter,flying objects, and the like ricochet off the lens assembly 100 and faceplate 110 with less impact and stress on the face plate 110, and thelens assembly 100 does not scratch so easily.

With reference generally to FIGS. 1-9, the lens assembly 100 will now bedescribed in more detail. The lens assembly 100 protects the user's eyesfrom flash burn (e.g., causing arc eyes, retina burns), ultravioletlight, sparks, heat, and/or other elements associated with theactivity/application. The lens assembly 100 also maximizes the user'sgeneral vision and peripheral vision, which helps the user to spot firesin the welding area (e.g., to the sides of the user) caused by hot metalsparks generated by the arc that ignite flammable objects.

The lens assembly 100 is replaceable/interchangeable with other lenses(e.g., for different welding applications, for different applications)and fits within an eye opening 190 (FIG. 1) of the face plate 110. Thelens assembly 100 includes an Automatic Darkening Filter (“ADF”)retainer lens 200, a front cover 210, an ADF lens 220, a polycarbonatelens protector 230, a back cover 240, flat head screws 250, and threadedinserts 260.

The ADF retainer lens 200 is partially spherical, toroidal, and/orcylindrical, providing the user with 180 degree viewing and unobstructedperipheral vision. Opposite peripheral/temple portions 270 of the ADFretainer lens 200 include crescent-shaped holes 280 that overlapcrescent-shaped holes 290 in recessed eye opening section 300. Fastenersmay extend through the holes 280, 290 for connecting the ADF retainerlens 200 to the recessed eye opening section 300 of the face plate 110.The ADF retainer lens 200 includes a central section with a rectangularopening 310 having front upper and lower recessed sections 320, sidecut-outs 330, and rearwardly extending receiving section 335. Therearwardly extending receiving section 335 includes rearwardly extendingupper horizontal member, lower horizontal member, and side verticalmembers that together form an air/space pocket between the ADF lens 220and the front cover 210 when the lens assembly 100 is assembled. In oneembodiment, the ADF retainer lens 200 is a # 10 shaded lens and is madeof polycarbonate. In alternative embodiments, the ADF retainer lens 200is a shaded lens in the range of #2-#12 shaded lens.

The front cover 210 protects the ADF lens 220 from impact. The frontcover 210 is transparent, un-shaded,rectangular/spherical/torical/cylindrical, made of polycarbonate and hasa slight curved configuration/shape. Although front cover 210 is aseparate component secured in an opening in the retainer lens in theillustrated embodiment, it may alternatively comprise a transparent orsubstantially transparent cover portion formed integrally with theretainer lens. The front cover 210, when disposed in the ADF retainerlens 200, is flush with the outer surface of lens 200. Rearwardextending latch projections 340 extend from opposite sides 350 of thefront cover 210 and extend through the side cut-outs 330 of the ADFretainer lens 200 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

As indicated above, the lens assembly 100 has a lens-in-a-lens designwith the ADF retainer lens 200 forming an outer holder lens and the ADFlens 220 forming an inner lens carried within/by the ADF retainer lens200. The threaded inserts 260 are injected/added into a rear/back sideof the ADF retainer lens 200.

The ADF lens 220 is substantially rectangular and has a rectangularframe portion and a rectangular lens portion held in the rectangularframe portion. In the embodiment shown, the ADF lens 220 is a 2 in.×4.25in. ADF lens and is a shade #3 normally and darkens to shade #10automatically when exposed to the flare of a welding arc. The ADF lens220 is interchangeable with other 108 mm×50.8 mm×5 mm ADF filters andshades. In further embodiments, the outer ADF retainer lens 200 is ashade which matches the shade of the ADF lens 220, but these lenses maybe of different shades in other embodiments. In an alternativeembodiment, the ADF lens 220 is a 4 in.×4 in. or 4 in.×5 in. ADF lens,as described below in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 15.In further embodiments, the ADF lens 220 and/or the outer ADF retainerlens 200 may be made of different shades and/or different types of ADFlenses.

A rectangular polycarbonate lens protector 230 is disposed behind theADF lens 220.

The rectangular back cover 240 includes a central rectangular opening360 and forwardly extending upper/lower flange members 370. A front ofthe back cover 240 includes a rectangular recessed section 380 with sidecut-outs 390. The recessed section 380 in the front of the back cover240 receives/retains the polycarbonate lens protector 230 and the ADFlens 220. The rearwardly extending latch projections 340 of the frontcover 210 latch into the side cut-outs 390 of the back cover 240. Theflat head screws 250 are inserted through holes in the corners of theback cover 240 and threadably engage the threaded inserts 260 in therear side of the ADF retainer lens 200 to connect/assemble therectangular back cover 240, the polycarbonate lens protector 230, andthe ADF lens 220, the ADF retainer lens 200, and the front cover 210 ofthe lens assembly 100 together.

Thus, the lens assembly 100 protects the user's eyes from flash burn,ultraviolet light, sparks, heat, and/or other elements associated withthe activity/application, and maximizes the user's peripheral/overallvision. Increased peripheral vision helps the user to spot fires orother objects in the welding area (e.g., to the sides of the user)caused by hot metal sparks generated by the arc that ignite flammableobjects.

FIGS. 10 to 15 illustrate a second embodiment of a face protector 400comprising a face plate 401 having a front opening 402. A lens-in-a-lensassembly 100A which is similar to that of the previous embodiment but ofdifferent dimensions is mounted in front opening 402 in the same manneras described in the previous embodiment for lens assembly 100. Parts ofassembly 100A which are equivalent to corresponding parts in theprevious embodiment but of different dimensions or shape are providedwith the same reference numbers as in the previous embodiment, followedby the letter A, and reference is made to the above description of theseparts in the first embodiment for details of their materials andfunctions. The lens-in-a-lens assembly 100A and the front opening 402for receiving the assembly are both larger in this embodiment than theprevious embodiment, offering an increased viewing area to the wearer.

The face plate 401 is similar in shape and made of the same material asface plate 110 of the previous embodiment, and like reference numbersare used for like parts as appropriate. Reference is made to thedescription of these parts in connection with the previous embodiment,and the parts are not described in detail in connection with thisembodiment, apart from any variations from the previous embodiment. Astrap assembly 410 with connectors 412 which connect to the holes 170 inthe back side of ear portions 146 of the face plate is illustrated inFIGS. 10 to 15, and a similar strap assembly may be used to connect tothe holes 170 in the first embodiment. Strap assembly 410 is used toretain face protector 400 in position on the user's head. The straps 414of assembly 410 may be elastic or adjustable to accommodate a range ofdifferent size heads, as described above.

As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 9 and 12, the recessed front or eyeopening 402 in the face plate 401 of this embodiment is larger than therecessed eye opening 300 of the first embodiment, and the ADF retainerlens 200A of the lens assembly is of shape and dimensions substantiallymatching those of opening 402 so that it is a close fit in the openingwhen opposite peripheral/temple portions 270A are secured to theopposite ear portions or side portions of the face plate. As in theprevious embodiment, retainer lens 200A has crescent shaped holes 280Athat overlap corresponding holes in the recessed eye opening section,and fasteners 281 extend through the overlapping holes to secure theretainer lens in the recessed opening. The retainer lens 200A is ofincreased height relative to the retainer lens 200 in the previousembodiment, so that it can accommodate a larger ADF lens 220A. As can beseen by comparing the rear end views of the face protectors 105 and 400in FIGS. 7 and 14, respectively, the ADF lens 220A is of larger heightthan lens 220 but of substantially the same width, and may be ofsubstantially square shape. The larger size of lenses 200A and 220Aprovides increased visibility to the user. The other parts of the lensassembly 100A which protect lens 220A and releasably secure the lens toretainer lens 200A are identical to those of the previous embodiment,apart from the increased dimensions of front cover 210 A, lens protector230A, and the frame or back cover 240A which holds lens 200A, as well asthe front opening 310A in retainer lens 200, to accommodate theincreased size of lens 220A. Apart from the change in dimensions, theseparts are identical to the corresponding parts in the first embodimentand are therefore not described in any more detail.

The dimensions of the ADF lens 220A may be approximately 4.0 in.×4.0 in.or 4 in.×5 in., with the height dimensions of retainer lens 200A, thefront opening 310A in the retainer lens, and the recessed opening 402 inthe face plate in which lens 200A is mounted similarly scaled up toaccommodate the increased size of lens 220A. As in the previousembodiment, lenses 200A and 220A may be of any selected initial lensshade and darkened lens shades, and lens 200A and 220A may be replacedor interchanged with other lenses of equivalent shapes and dimensionsbut different lens properties, as desired.

As in the previous embodiment, the lens-in-lens assembly 100A protects awearer's eyes while allowing peripheral vision, and one or both lensesare replaceable or interchangeable as described above in connection withthe first embodiment.

The above figures may depict exemplary configurations for the invention,which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionalitythat can be included in the invention. The invention is not restrictedto the illustrated architectures or configurations, but can beimplemented using a variety of alternative architectures andconfigurations. Additionally, although the invention is described abovein terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it shouldbe understood that the various features and functionality described inone or more of the individual embodiments with which they are described,but instead can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or moreof the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not suchembodiments are described and whether or not such features are presentedas being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope ofthe present invention, especially in any following claims, should not belimited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read as mean “including, without limitation” or the like; the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectivessuch as “conventional,” “traditional,” “standard,” “known” and terms ofsimilar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item describedto a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, butinstead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal,or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at anytime in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with theconjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and everyone of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be readas “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group ofitems linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiringmutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as“and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although item,elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed inthe singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereofunless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence ofbroadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but notlimited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read tomean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances wheresuch broadening phrases may be absent.

1. A face protector, comprising: a face plate having portions configuredto protect the forehead, cheeks, jaw, chin, mouth, ears, and nose of awearer, the face plate having a front opening configured for positioningover the eyes of a wearer and extending rearwardly over opposite sidesof the face towards the ears of a wearer; and a lens assembly secured inthe front opening of the face plate; the lens assembly comprising atleast a first, retainer lens secured in the front opening andsubstantially flush with at least the forehead portion of the faceplate, the first lens being of shape and dimensions which substantiallymatch the shape and dimensions of the front opening, and a second lensof smaller dimensions secured behind the first lens to provide alens-in-a-lens configuration.
 2. The face protector of claim 1, whereinat least one lens of the lens assembly is removably mounted to allowlens replacement.
 3. The face protector of claim 1, wherein the firstand second lens are both automatic darkening filter (ADF) lenses, andthe first lens has a cover portion of at least substantially transparentmaterial in front of the second lens.
 4. The face protector of claim 3,wherein the first lens has a central opening in front of the second lensand the cover portion comprises a separate front cover member secured inthe central opening.
 5. The face protector of claim 1, wherein the firstlens is releasably secured in the front opening of the face plate. 6.The face protector of claim 1, wherein the second lens is releasablysecured behind the front lens, whereby the second lens is replaceable.7. The face protector of claim 5, further comprising a set ofinterchangeable automatic darkening filter (ADF) second lenses ofidentical shape and dimensions and different shades for selectivelysecuring to the first lens.
 8. The face protector of claim 1, whereinthe first lens is curved and the second lens is at least substantiallyflat.
 9. The face protector of claim 8, wherein the second lens isrectangular.
 10. The face protector of claim 8, wherein the dimensionsof the second lens are in the range from approximately 2 inches to 4.5inches in height and approximately 4.0 to 5.0 inches in width.
 11. Theface protector of claim 9, wherein the first lens has a cover portion ofrectangular peripheral shape aligned with the second lens, the coverportion being at least substantially transparent.
 12. The face protectorof claim 11, wherein the cover portion comprises a cover member havingan outer surface substantially flush with the first lens, and the firstlens has an opening in which the cover member is secured.
 13. The faceprotector of claim 12, wherein the first, retainer lens and front covermember are of substantially matching curvature.
 14. The face protectorof claim 1, wherein the lens assembly further comprises an at leastsubstantially transparent lens protector secured behind the second lens.15. The face protector of claim 1, wherein the first lens has arearwardly extending receiving section adjacent the cover portion andthe lens assembly further comprises releasable fasteners whichreleasably secure the second lens to the receiving section of the firstlens.
 16. The face protector of claim 15, further comprising a rearretainer frame holding the second lens, the fasteners being configuredto secure the retainer frame to the receiving section of the first lens.17. The face protector of claim 16, further comprising an at leastsubstantially transparent lens protector of shape and dimensionssubstantially matching the shape and dimensions of the second lens, thelens protector being secured between the rear retainer frame and secondlens.
 18. A lens assembly for securing in an opening in a face plate ofa face protector, comprising: a first, retainer lens configured to besecured in the front opening of a face plate and having a curvaturesubstantially matching the curvature of the face plate, the first lenshaving a central portion extending across the face of a wearer of theface protector and side portions configured to provide peripheral visionto the wearer; and a second lens of smaller dimensions secured behindthe first lens to provide a lens-in-a-lens configuration.
 19. The lensassembly of claim 18, further comprising at least one set ofinterchangeable lenses having different lens properties corresponding toone of said lenses, said one lens being releasably secured in said lensassembly and being interchangeable with other lenses in said one set ofinterchangeable lenses.
 20. The lens assembly of claim 19, wherein thedifferent lens properties comprise at least lens shade.
 21. The lensassembly of claim 20, wherein said set of interchangeable lensescomprise automatic darkening filter (ADF) lenses of different shades.22. The lens assembly of claim 19, further comprising first and secondsets of interchangeable lenses having different lens properties and saidfirst and second lenses are selected from the respective first andsecond set of interchangeable lenses.
 23. The lens assembly of claim 19,wherein said one lens is the second lens and the selected second lens isreleasably secured behind the first lens and is interchangeable withmatching second lenses having different properties.
 24. The lensassembly of claim 19, wherein said one lens is the first lens and theselected first lens is releasably secured to the second lens in saidlens assembly and interchangeable with matching first lenses havingdifferent properties.
 25. The lens assembly of claim 18, wherein thesecond lens is a substantially flat lens.
 26. The lens assembly of claim18, wherein the first and second lens are both automatic darkeningfilter (ADF) lenses, and the first lens has a cover portion of at leastsubstantially transparent material in front of the second lens.
 27. Thelens assembly of claim 26, wherein the first lens has a central openingin front of the second lens and the cover portion comprises a separatefront cover member secured in the central opening.
 28. The lens assemblyof claim 27, wherein the first, retainer lens and front cover member areof substantially matching curvature.
 29. The lens assembly of claim 18,wherein the first lens is configured for releasable connection in afront opening of a face plate and the lens assembly is interchangeablewith other lens assemblies having different properties.
 30. The lensassembly of claim 18, wherein the second lens is rectangular.
 31. Thelens assembly of claim 30, wherein the dimensions of the second lens arein the range from approximately 2 inches to 4.5 inches in height andapproximately 4.0 to 5.0 inches in width.
 32. The lens assembly of claim18, further comprising an at least substantially transparent lensprotector secured behind the second lens.
 33. The lens assembly of claim18, further comprising at least one releasable fastener which releasablysecures the second lens to the first lens, the first lens having arearwardly extending receiving section configured for receiving thefastener.
 34. The lens assembly of claim 18, further comprising a rearretainer frame holding the second lens and releasably secured to thefirst lens.
 35. The lens assembly of claim 34, further comprising an atleast substantially transparent lens protector of shape and dimensionssubstantially matching the shape and dimensions of the second lens, thelens protector being secured between the rear retainer frame and secondlens.
 36. A method of using a face protector with an interchangeablelens assembly, comprising: securing a lens assembly in a front openingin a face plate configured to extend over the face of a wearer toprotect the forehead, cheeks, jaw, chin, mouth, ears and nose of awearer while the lens assembly protects the eyes and areas surroundingthe eyes, the lens assembly having a first lens which fits the faceplate front opening and a second lens of smaller dimensions behind thefirst lens; applying the assembled face protector to a wearer's headwith the second lens extending in front of the wearer's eyes whenlooking forwards and the first lens extending over at least part of thesides of the wearer's face on each side of the wearer's eyes to provideperipheral vision to the wearer; wearing the face protector during anactivity; and removing the face protector after the activity.
 37. Themethod of claim 36, further comprising selecting at least one lens ofthe lens assembly from a set of interchangeable lenses before or aftersecuring the lens assembly in the front opening, the selected lenshaving lens properties different from the other interchangeable lensesin the set.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of selecting alens comprises selecting a lens having a predetermined automaticdarkening filter (ADF) shade from a plurality of lenses having differentADF shades.
 39. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of selectingfurther comprises selecting both the first and second lens from sets ofinterchangeable first and second lenses having different lensproperties, releasably securing the selected second lens to the selectedfirst lens, and securing the first lens in the front opening of the faceplate.
 40. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of selectingcomprises selecting a second lens from a set of second lenses havingdifferent lens properties and releasably securing the second lens behindthe first lens before or after securing the first lens in the frontopening of the face plate.
 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the stepof releasably securing a selected second lens behind the first lensfurther comprises securing a substantially transparent back cover behindthe second lens.
 42. The method of claim 37, wherein the step ofselecting comprises selecting a first lens from a set of first lenseshaving different lens properties before securing the lens assembly withthe selected first lens in the front opening of the face plate.
 43. Themethod of claim 36, further comprising securing an at leastsubstantially transparent cover plate of curvature matching that of thefirst lens in a front opening of the first lens in front of the secondlens before securing the assembled face protector over the face of thewearer.